Pubdate: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 Source: El Paso Times (TX) Copyright: 2010 El Paso Times Contact: http://www.elpasotimes.com/formnewsroom Website: http://www.elpasotimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/829 Author: Zahira Torres $1.7M TO PROSECUTE CRIME ALONG BORDER AUSTIN -- A $1.7 million grant from the state will pay for more prosecutors or investigators to take on gangs, drugs and human trafficking along the border, Gov. Rick Perry said Monday. Perry announced funding for the creation of the Border Prosecution Unit, which came from the $110 million allocated by the lawmakers for border security during the last legislative session. The 16 district attorneys along the border will receive funding to hire an additional prosecutor or an investigator who would work exclusively with the Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement agencies on border crime cases. Perry said El Paso would lead the way as the fiscal agent for the unit. "Texas' ongoing efforts at combating crime along the border have led to an increase in the number of cases against individuals for money laundering, drug and human trafficking, kidnapping, murder and gang-related offenses," Perry said in a statement. El Paso District Attorney Jaime Esparza said his office used its allotment of the money to create a border prosecutor position that was filled in January by Assistant District Attorney Andres Ortega. Esparza said, because he only has one prosecutor exclusively devoted to border cases, he must establish priorities. "We are going to concentrate on those cases that we think have a greater impact on border security," he said, listing gang, drugs and human trafficking as key areas. "One of my concerns is these gang cases because, not only are they violent and make our communities less safe, but if we are not vigilant the gangs could become foot soldiers for the cartels," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart